The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-05-13
eIviNe AND TAXING a LeAT.
The Manner OF Spanish, German, En-
glish, and American Smokers.


The OF spanish, German, En-
glish, and American smoRers.
There is a certain yariety in the man
ner of giving and taking q light for q
cigar that is interesting to all smokcrS
The Italians and French successfully
copy the Spanish style, which is the
the most graceful and elegant of all,
the only possible objection to it being
that they sometimes carry po%liteness
beyond a reasonable range. But, af-
ter all, it is simple and friendly enough.
The Spaniard bows and asks his neigh.
Dor for a light. The latter, returning
the bow. Immediately presents him
with his cigar, holding out the lighted
end at a slight angle between the thumb
and second finger. The other takes the
cigar and after procuring the needed
fire from il, reverses it skiIlfully and
returns it, the entire operation being
accompanied by another graceful bow
and each raises his hat as he turns to
go away. The Spaniard always smokes
through his nose. He considers it eX-
traVagant to waste any good smoke
through his mouth, and inveterate
smokers in all countries agree with
him.
The German is more polite in asking
for a light than he is in giving it. Even
with the best intentions. in the latter
case his efforts have all the appearance
of reluctance. Sometimes, when q ci.
gar is smoked down nearly far enough,
he throws it away immediately after
granting the request for fire. This
among the Italians is considered rude
and boorish in the extreme. and is
sometimes regarded as positively in
sulting.
The average Englishman before he
gives a light, and finally acts as if he had
achieved a mighty feat in condescen-
sion, Instead of lifting his hat his
hand is nor likely to go into his pock-
ct, and he is apt to give a parting puff
with an air of Indignation as he stalks
away Possibly this comes from the
fact that he never asks for alight him
self, and is always we'll armed with
matches.
The American of late, seems to be
somewhat averse to letting anyone
take a light from his cigar. He takes
it for granted that it must be much
better than his neighbours and, not
wishing to contaminate it, Rhe answers
an appeal for the fire with a match.
Sometimes he politely lights the match,
and in some cases he presents it with
an air good enough for any Spaniard.
But this somewhat new custom may pos
sibly be of Irish parentage. The Irish
peasant generally strikes a match for
his ~fireless friend or fellow traveller,
and even in q gale of wind he will hold
a lighted match in the hollow of his
hands and humorously issue orders for
the capture of the precious flame.
The giving or taking of a light, for
a cigar is a small affair. but little things
often reveal a great deal of the char
acter, disposition. and breeding Of
men. It should Away be offered cheer
fully and taken politely. In this
country it need not be done with the
extreme p%oliteness and elegance which
may be said to be the exclusive prop
erty OF the Latins, and which is prob.
ably beyond the reach of colder and
more sober races; but it should be ac-
compan,e ed by that good-fellowship
which is governed by common sense
the foundation Of all politeness. Near
York Sun.